KAHULUI, Hawaiʻi — The Institute of Hawaiian Music (IHM) at University of Hawai‘i Maui College presents the second in a series of public presentations and performances featuring well-known Hawai‘i music artists and industry professionals. Singer, composer and scholar Kainani Kahaunaele will visit UHMC on Thursday, November 21, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. at the Student Lounge on the second floor of the Pilina Building on the UHMC campus. After a private mentoring session with Institute of Hawaiian Music students, Kahaunaele will talk about her life in music, how she juggles a busy career as an academic with her musical activities and raising a family. She will also perform songs from her two Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning CDs, “Na‘u ‘Oe” and “‘Ōhai ‘Ula”.

All students and the general public are invited to attend this free event.

Kainani Kahaunaele was raised by her grandparents in the rural community of Anahola, Kaua‘i surrounded by four generations of musical talent. Her love for Hawaiian music was infused at an early age, playing ‘ukulele and harmonizing with her Kahaunaele, Pānui and Kaluahine families. Whether in church, on stage with the Kapa‘a High School Show Choir, at the backyard jam, or at the lū‘au, she was unknowingly in training as she was destined to share the music of her ancestors, her culture, and practices with a more global audience. Kainani’s proficiency in haku mele (Hawaiian poetic composition) attracted many renowned artists such as Weldon Kekauoha, Aaron Salā, and Nā Leo to record her original mele while numerous hālau hula have danced her songs around the world.

Reservations are not required to attend, but seating is limited. Please email ihm@hawaii.edu or call (808) 984-3622 for additional information about this presentation or about the IHM program.

For more information about the Institute of Hawaiian Music, please visit our website at http://maui.hawaii.edu/ihm.